![President William Ruto flanked by Environment CS Aden Duale. [PCS]](https://newstrends.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/President-William-Ruto-flanked-by-Environment-CS-Aden-Duale-PCS.jpg)
In a powerful statement on Friday, President William Ruto condemned the deadly June 25 protests that rocked the country, labeling the violence as “economic sabotage” and directing security agencies to swiftly arrest and prosecute those responsible for the destruction. This marks Ruto’s first public address regarding the protests, which left a trail of devastation across several towns, including Nairobi.
Speaking during the International MSMEs Day celebrations, Ruto made it clear that while the Constitution guarantees the right to peaceful demonstrations, the June 25 protests had nothing to do with peaceful expression. He described the events as “calculated chaos” and “economic sabotage,” aimed at disrupting Kenya’s progress and crippling small businesses.
A Day of Destruction
What began as a march by Gen Z-led protesters spiraled into a day of violent unrest, with businesses looted, markets burned, and warehouses ransacked. Traders were left to pick up the pieces as their livelihoods were destroyed in hours. Ruto expressed deep sorrow for the losses suffered by these hardworking Kenyans, stressing that the real victims were ordinary citizens and small traders.
“Shops were looted. Businesses, some built over decades, were burned to the ground. Market stalls destroyed. Warehouses ransacked. Investments worth billions of shillings were wiped out,” Ruto said, condemning the premeditated violence.
According to Ruto, the chaos was not a spontaneous reaction, but a deliberate act of lawlessness disguised as freedom. “This is anarchy dressed in freedom colours. This is disorder disguised as democracy,” he added, highlighting the severe consequences for the Kenyan economy.
Violence and Loss of Life
Amnesty International Kenya confirmed that the death toll from the protests had reached 16, with many victims reportedly having suffered gunshot wounds. Rights groups like Vocal Africa, which assisted families at a Nairobi morgue, reported that at least four of the deceased bore signs of gunshot wounds.
Hussein Khalid, the head of Vocal Africa, condemned what he termed as the excessive use of force by the police, saying that the response to the protests only led to more deaths.
“We condemn this excessive use of force. We believe that the police could have handled themselves with restraint. You come out to protest police killings, and they kill even more,” Khalid remarked.
Additionally, the protests left over 400 people wounded, with 83 sustaining serious injuries. As the violence spread, demonstrations were reported in 23 counties across the country.
Political and Economic Fallout
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen also weighed in on the aftermath of the protests, calling the violence politically motivated. Speaking after inspecting the damage, Murkomen noted that the violence was not random but planned and funded with a specific agenda in mind.
“What happened yesterday was not random. It was deliberate, it was coordinated, it was funded. It was premeditated and politically funded,” Murkomen stated. He revealed the staggering extent of the damage, with 88 police vehicles, 27 government vehicles, and 65 civilian cars destroyed during the chaos.
In addition to the destruction of public and private property, Murkomen condemned the looting of small businesses, including kiosks, supermarkets, electronic shops, and even banks. The economic toll was catastrophic, and the lingering effects on local businesses are expected to be long-lasting.
The Call for Accountability
President Ruto made it clear that those responsible for the destruction must be held accountable. He ordered the Inspector-General of Police and other relevant authorities to take swift action in identifying, arresting, and prosecuting the perpetrators of the violence.
“The perpetrators of this violence, looting, and destruction must be identified, unmasked, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, swiftly and decisively,” Ruto emphasized, sending a stern message that the government would not tolerate acts of lawlessness.
He also reflected on the bigger question of Kenya’s future, warning that the nation must not allow its hard-earned freedoms to be used as an excuse for violence and destruction.
“Is this the Kenya we want? Do we want to build by day, and destroy by night?” Ruto asked. “Is it freedom to burn what others have built? Those elements doing this are not fighting for freedom; they are attacking freedom.”
A Nation in Crisis
As Kenya grapples with the aftermath of the June 25 protests, the political fallout continues to reverberate across the country. A stormy debate has erupted in Parliament, with lawmakers trading blame for the violence. Women senators have also spoken out about the sexual violence that occurred during the protests, calling for urgent investigations.
As Kenyans reflect on the events of that fateful day, the question of how to balance the right to protest with the need for law and order remains a divisive issue. However, one thing is clear: President Ruto’s administration is determined to ensure that those responsible for the violence are brought to justice, and that Kenya’s hard-won peace and stability are not taken for granted.
